"Nonsense," Naruto said with a grin. "Who isn't afraid of death?"
"I've faced plenty of life-and-death situations, and I've learned one thing—the more you fear death, the sooner it catches up to you."
"When you're cornered, you have to fight with everything you've got. Only by facing death head-on can you find a new path to survival."
Karin smiled brightly.
"You're absolutely right, Teacher Naruto!"
She admired Naruto deeply for saving her life.
To her, Naruto was like an older brother.
However, the one she truly loved was still Sasuke.
Those feelings had never changed.
Standing nearby, Jugo wore a complicated expression.
He was grateful to Konoha for rescuing him from Orochimaru's hideout.
At the same time, however, Naruto had killed the person Jugo respected most—Kimimaro.
His feelings toward Naruto were a mixture of gratitude and resentment.
Even Jugo himself couldn't fully understand them.
Perhaps, buried deep within his heart, there was still a lingering desire for revenge.
Captain Yamato silently observed the newly assembled Team Eleven.
It was a unique team, made up of both former enemies and allies.
This mission wasn't only about searching for the Three-Tails.
It was also a test of their loyalty to Konoha.
---
Sasuke completely understood Naruto's way of thinking.
Because...
He had always lived the same way.
He constantly walked the line between life and death.
Sometimes, he had even deliberately thrown himself into danger.
When he defected to Orochimaru, he knew there was a very real chance he would die.
Yet he never hesitated.
His hatred for Itachi was certainly one reason.
But perhaps there had always been a self-destructive side to him as well.
That was why he understood Naruto better than anyone else.
And likewise...
Only Naruto truly understood him.
Hinata couldn't fully comprehend their way of thinking.
But she could sense what was going through their hearts.
That realization only made her more worried.
No matter what...
I won't let Naruto-kun die.
Even if it costs me my own life.
An unwavering determination shone in Hinata's eyes.
---
The six shinobi split into two teams and quickly departed.
Soon, they reached the coastline of the Land of Fire.
Boarding a ship, they set sail for the Hidden Mist Village.
As they approached the waters surrounding Kirigakure...
The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, had already arrived to welcome them personally.
Yamato knew this level of courtesy was largely because of Naruto.
"Haha!"
"Mizukage-sama!"
Naruto waved enthusiastically before even stepping off the ship.
Mei Terumi smiled warmly.
"Naruto."
"It's good to see you again."
After everyone disembarked, she nodded respectfully toward Yamato.
"Thank you for Konoha's support."
"The Hidden Mist Village is truly grateful."
Yamato replied calmly,
"This is the order of both the Hokage and the leader of the Dawn Alliance."
"The Five Great Nations must stand together now."
"We're simply doing what needs to be done."
Mei nodded before turning back to Naruto.
"Tsunade told me about your bet."
"Are you confident?"
Naruto laughed.
"Of course!"
Mei smiled helplessly.
"It's an enormous risk."
"As expected of Lady Tsunade."
Naruto scratched the back of his head.
"Maybe I caught her reckless spirit."
Everyone laughed.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mei led the group into Kirigakure.
"The support team from Kumogakure has already arrived."
"I'll introduce you first."
"After that, we'll meet with the Hidden Mist search team."
"Sounds good."
---
Inside the Hidden Mist Village, rows of Kirigakure shinobi were already waiting to welcome them.
The Kumogakure team also curiously observed Naruto and the others.
Leading them was an old acquaintance.
Darui.
Naruto's eyes brightened.
He remembered Gaara mentioning the unwritten rules of the Five Kage Summit.
That meant Darui was the most likely candidate to become the next Raikage.
He hadn't expected the current Raikage to personally send such an important figure to support the Dawn Alliance.
Then again...
It made perfect sense.
The Two-Tails Jinchuriki had been captured by the Akatsuki.
Even Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Raikage's own brother, had become one of their targets.
The Raikage had every reason to hate the Akatsuki with all his heart.
Darui greeted Naruto with his usual relaxed expression.
"So..."
"It's really you, Naruto."
Naruto grinned.
"I didn't expect you to come either."
"It seems the Raikage is taking this mission very seriously."
Darui sighed.
"My brother Bee was captured."
"The Raikage is furious."
"He won't rest until the Akatsuki are destroyed."
He continued,
"Samui and the others have already fought members of the Akatsuki."
"They've seen their faces and know something about their abilities."
"They've been assigned to gather intelligence."
"As for Elder Tsuchidai, Mabui, and the others..."
"They're staying behind to defend Kumogakure."
"So I was sent to assist the Dawn Alliance."
He then introduced his teammates.
"This is Omoi."
"This is Karui."
"And these are Nurui, Yurui, and Kayui."
"You already know what I'm capable of."
"Omoi and Karui are Killer B's students."
"They specialize in Cloud Style Kenjutsu and Lightning Release."
"Nurui excels at Earth Release and setting traps."
"Kayui specializes in Lightning Release."
"And Yurui is both a Lightning Release user and a medical ninja."
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"So many similar names..."
"I don't think I'll remember them all."
Then he laughed.
"Haha... you all look really strong."
He then introduced everyone from Konoha.
---
After everyone had become acquainted, Mei smiled.
"Now that the reinforcements from both villages have arrived..."
"We can begin discussing the search for the Three-Tails."
Everyone entered the reception hall and took their seats.
As the host, Mei spoke first.
"Thank you once again for your support."
"The Three-Tails belongs to the Hidden Mist Village."
"Recovering it is the Dawn Alliance's first major mission."
"We must succeed."
"Failure is not an option."
"Those are also the leader's orders."
She paused before continuing.
"The Three-Tails is different from the other Tailed Beasts."
"It once reached complete mutual understanding with the Fourth Mizukage."
"In theory..."
"It should remain loyal to Kirigakure."
Naruto blinked.
"In theory?"
Mei gave a bitter smile.
"It spent years under the Akatsuki's malicious genjutsu."
"After everything it's experienced..."
"It may no longer wish to return voluntarily."
Naruto instinctively thought about Kurama's own desire for freedom.
He nodded in understanding.
"So we need to find it before the Akatsuki."
"We should persuade it to return peacefully."
"If persuasion fails..."
"We'll have no choice but to capture it by force."
Mei continued,
"The Hidden Mist has also assembled its own search team."
"The leaders are Ao and Chojuro."
Both men stepped forward and nodded politely.
"Ao possesses the Byakugan."
"Chojuro is an excellent sensory ninja."
"Both are highly skilled at tracking."
"Suigetsu Hozuki and several younger shinobi will also participate."
Suigetsu grinned the moment he saw Naruto.
"It's been a while."
Naruto smiled just as happily.
"Suigetsu!"
"It's good to see you again!"
Suigetsu laughed.
"It hasn't really been that long."
"But I should thank all of you."
"You didn't just return me to Kirigakure..."
"You also helped me recover the Executioner's Blade."
"I've inherited my brother's will."
"I'm now one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"And someday..."
"I'll recover all seven legendary swords."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically.
"That's awesome!"
Standing beside him, Chojuro remained as shy as ever.
His head stayed lowered, lacking confidence despite carrying the legendary twin swords, Hiramekarei, on his back.
Clearly...
Kirigakure had high hopes for him.
---
Mei spread out a map.
"Since the Hidden Mist Village is surrounded by the sea..."
"The search area is enormous."
"Our own teams will search the southern, southeastern, and inland regions."
She pointed north.
"Kumogakure will handle the northern waters."
Then she looked at Naruto.
"And Konoha..."
"I'm entrusting the western region to you."
Everyone nodded.
"Understood."
Mei looked around the room.
"Thank you all."
"This mission concerns not only the future of the Hidden Mist..."
"But the future of the entire ninja world."
"I hope we can set aside all past grievances."
"And work together as one."
"If anyone discovers new information..."
"Share it immediately."
"And maintain constant communication."
"Yes!"
---
With everything decided, Mei immediately began assigning missions.
The alliance forces quickly mobilized.
By the western shore, two ships were already prepared.
Their crews waited for the order to depart.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata formed one team.
Captain Yamato boarded the second ship with Karin, Jugo, and the remaining members of Team Eleven.
Before leaving, Yamato gave Naruto one final reminder.
"Naruto."
"Be careful."
"Your mission is to locate the Three-Tails."
"But don't forget..."
"You're also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"If anything unexpected happens..."
"Your own safety comes first."
Naruto smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, Captain Yamato."
"I know."
Although Yamato still looked concerned, there was nothing more he could say.
The two teams separated.
Naruto turned toward the crew.
"Set sail!"
The ships slowly left the harbor, cutting through the thin sea mist as they headed toward the vast ocean.
More than six months had passed since the death of the Fourth Mizukage and the disappearance of the Three-Tails.
Naruto, too, had grown older.
He was now fourteen years old.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)